St Cuthbert's Way: Kirk Yetholm to Wooler

Summary

The third stage of St Cuthbert's Way crosses the northern fringes of the Cheviot Hills and passes from Scotland into England. It's a delightful undulating walk on rolling moorland paths, desccending to the valley of the College Burn at half way and finishing at the attractive town of Wooler.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Paths, quiet roads, moorland paths are mostly grassy with a couple of short, potentially boggier sections. Livestock are likely on some sections.

Getting there

Start

Kirk Yetholm.

Public Transport

Bus to Wooler and Kirk Yetholm.

Start Grid Ref

NT827282

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 21.1km / 13 miles
Time: 6 - 7 hours
Ascent: 650m (Profile)

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OL16 The Cheviot Hills, Jedburgh & Wooler

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

Starting at Kirk Yetholm, take the minor road heading east uphill from the information board on the village green. Pass the rows of cottages and follow the road as it leads uphill and then descends steeply to the Halter Burn. After the cattle grid bear left to cross a grassy area; ignore the grass track ahead to instead cross the burn on a bridge. On the far side of the burn turn and climb directly uphill along the right side of a stone wall.

Stage 2

The grassy path now traverses the side of Green Humbleton; there's a fort on its summit which can be seen as you gain height. Soon a junction is reached; the route leaves the Pennine Way here, instead forking left and climbing past a cairn. At a fence the Scottish/English border, marked with a sign and gate. The route now continues across open moorland, eventually descending to cross a boggy area and then Tuppie's Sike, a small burn. The route passes through a gate and keeps to the right of a fence, soon heading through an area of regenerating native woodland.

Stage 3

After another gate the route descends to cross Shank's Sike, then climbing briefly before bearing left along a grassy track. Follow this, passing through another gate and then keeping left at a fork, passing to the left of a wall corner. After another gate the track heads down to the farm buildings at Elsdonburn. Go through the gate here, and follow the track down to the left of a barn to reach a tarmac lane. Head to the right along this.

Stage 4

Keep straight on along the tarmac when another road branches right. At the next junction, after the cattle grid, turn right to reach the estate cottages at Hethpool. When the road bends right at the cottages, go through the gate / cattle grid onto the track ahead. After another cattle grid the track heads into the trees; continue along it to cross the bridge over the College Burn. On the far side turn left through gorse bushes to follow a track up the hillside.

Stage 5

The track climbs and passes through a gate, heading througn aother area of native trees. Beyond this head through another gate, then turn left at a path junction, and then right at a second - both signed for St Cuthbert's Way. A stile leads to open ground. Follow the grassy path, passing to the right of a ruin. The route becomes a grassy track, climbing up to pass through a forest plantation. It then passes through another area of woods. As Torleehouse is reached, take the path on the right to pass above it, then drop down beyond it to gain its access track. Watch out for a turning off this gravel track just before a cattle grid - the track climbs uphill beside the stone wall. After a gate above the corner of the wall the grassy track continues uphill.

Stage 6

Pass over a stile beside a gate and continue climbing, keeping to the wider grassy path - with the hill of Yeavering Bell visible over to the left, topped by an iron age fort. Continue straight ahead at a path junction, climbing to yet another gate and stile. Now continue across the moor; when a fork is reached, take the left branch. Boggy in places, this section can be exposed in poor weather but in good conditions provides extensive views and a great feeling of space. Keep straight across another track, continuing to reach a gate in a stone wall.

Stage 7

Go through this and keep ahead, slightly downhill. The going can be a little boggy in one or two places but is generally good. The route comes alongside a fence (on your left) and then joins a hard track which comes through a gate. Follow this ahead, passing through a gate. At a fork leave the main track and branch off left to cross some boggy ground. When a grassy track is reached bear left along it, keeping to the left of a wall until a gateway. Keep straight on, passing through another gate, and following a track to the right of a wall. Ignore a track off left, keeping straight ahead. The track swings right as the edge of the hills is reached, continuing across the rolling moors with beautiful views.

Stage 8

When the track forks keep to the main left branch. After another gate the route runs parallel to a wall over to your left, and gives great views over Wooler. Eventually it descends, swings left to pass through a gate, and then turns right across grassy ground. Soon it heads into a dense plantation. The path through the trees joins a surfaced path and follows it to the car park and picnic area at Wooler Common. It is possible to short cut by heading left along the road here, but the route of St Cuthbert's Way takes a longer approach to Wooler. Cross the car park, turning right along the road but then immediately left onto a grassy path.

Stage 9

The path leads through a gate and climbs through braken. Keep on the main right path at a fork until it reaches a signed junction, then turn left to aim for the top corner of the forestry. Pass through a gate and follow the path alongside and through the trees before it emerges with views to an ancient fort. Follow the widest grassy path over the undulating ground until it bears left towards a cottage. Head downhill, passing through a gate to reach the cottage. Cotninue downhill and when you reach the road turn right to follow it into the centre of Wooler. Here there is a community-owned Youth Hostel, several traditional inns, cafes and a range of shops for supplies.

Next stage: Wooler to Lindisfarne

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